About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Lochside Distillery – Short lived and Bitter

Lochside, in the Eastern Highlands, fell silent in 1992, after only 35 years of operation as a distillery, during which time it was owned by MacNab and was producing both grain and malt whisky for the “Sandy MacNab” brand. The distillery was sold in 1972 to Domecq, who used its output for a Spanish market low cost blended DYC whisky they produced. When Allied bought Domecq in 1992, the distillery was summarily monthballed, and was demolished in 2005 when Pernod Ricard took over Allied-Domecq.

Photo Credit: whiskyintelligence.com

The distillery aged only in ex bourbon casks, a curiosity since it was owned by a Spanish company which could have probably handled getting quality sherry casks. I have tasted one Lochside before and I don’t remember it being with this very oily and vegetal flavor profile, but is, nevertheless, and interesting dram.

Photo Credit: thewhiskyexchange.com

Lochside 1981 Berry’s Own Selection, 30 Year Old, Cask 777 (46% ABV)

Appearance: Gold, slow forming thick legs with a ring and quite a bit of droplets on glass. This would suggest being non chill filtered, but I couldn’t find that stated anywhere.

Palate: Honey and allspice over a musty and bitter base with salty notes.

Linger: Bitter on the tongue, light pepper, notes of honey and some drynesss in the mouth, with residual soft sweetness.

Conclusion

I’m surprised I disliked this dram so intensely. It’s bitter, it has citrus – but that oily mustiness threw me back to the Irish Green Spot whiskey. My friend Rasmus, who shared this dram with me, loved it on the other hand, with his first word to me after I tasted it being “TANGERINES!!!” 🙂

It’s really a case of individual taste, but if you get a chance to taste it, do…These Lochsides won’t be around for too much longer.